The Pens of Fate [4](Saga remastered) {Jun.27, 2023}

Note from the Author

This book contains and mentions sensitive material relating to mental illnesses, several personality disorders, suicide, suicidal thoughts, post-traumatic stress disorder, murder, death, alcoholism, self-harm, and depression. Reader discretion is highly advised and it is important to practice self-care during and after reading. There is foul language, substance abuse, multiple types of abuse as well. Some of the events, people, and timelines are based on true aspects of my life, so keep a clear mindset.

To my inner angels who kept fighting against the demons of my mind, I want to thank you for it. And to those inner monsters of mine, thank you for being my inspiration for the nightmares that came out of these stories. To the angels who stood beside me while I battled the evil inside of those doors that I kept locked, these books and stories will represent how you have been there for me. 

And to the younger me, who probably didn’t know that she was what scared the devil; you were going to do great things. Don't you ever look back and question the choices that lead you to the me that I have become...

Ethan’s green eyes locked on the small box on his desk, as he slowly picked it up. In the box were a Gothic-looking pen and folded-up note. The note had ink that was a bit faded but it was legible. On the note read in red ink, “This is the Pen of Death, a weapon used by many grim reapers and serial killers throughout history. It can save someone in the midst of death or kill someone.” At that moment Ethan watched in fear as the red ink started to form a skull at the end of the sentence. After he set the note down, Ethan’s fingers traced the Pen’s engraved details and he slowly took the pen out of its box… 

“Ethan is trying to find out the Pen’s powers and weaknesses,” Adaline continued and started to hand out three of the boxes, “Right now, we have two out of eight Pens already active. Meaning that these six boxes will need to also become active for this upcoming war.”

Zach nodded and motioned for a few of the others to come over to the front of the classroom, “Since Addie wants the people who followed them into this mess to be protected from gods know what they wrote.” Zach pushed a crate out from behind the teacher’s desk. The crate was labeled “Weapons” in white lettering. After Zach opened the crate and reached into it, he handed James a Sig P220 handgun, “For the guy in the Navy, this should feel right.” 

Ashton and Tina stared in shock at the weapons as Adaline walked up to them with one of the boxes, “I know that this is a lot to take in but, Ashton, you lost so much trying to protect others. I’m asking you to continue to give, which isn’t right but it is your choice.” They handed him the box. 

Tina looked back at the members of the group who were in their school’s uniform. In that bunch was a pair of boys that Adaline introduced as the Reef brothers, Simon and Cody, and Tina’s twin sister Liz. So they brought you here too, Tina thought to herself. Tina then turned her attention to the other members; a smaller group of four that stayed close to Adaline’s side, and two other teens from the ‘Real’ world. 

“Tina, Ashton, these are my elite gang of assassins. Their story is a work in progress as well as the Forgotten’s,” Adaline explained has they pointed to the girl with the mask and then continued, “Meet Kelsey, Harper, Angel, and Lason,” Adaline pulled out a brown leather book that had a white feather as the bookmark, “ I got the idea from an anime, but I like the way mine turned out. Lawson's body has weapons built into it. Angel can shapeshift and bend like a rag doll. Kelsey can breathe underwater, in space, and lava without being burnt alive. And Harper can time travel, but we are only willing to use it if we need to. She can’t bring the dead back.” Angel’s beautiful chocolate-colored skin practically glowed in the evening sun coming in from the window as she took Tina’s hand, “It is so cool to meet you. This is the first time that we meet people,” Angel smiled as the boy named Lason ran his hand through his fiery red hair, “We were just “born”, he said the word born with quotations, “So you guys are the first things we see- I mean besides Mother,” then Lason pointed to Adaline. 

Cody exchanged quick glances with Lason then looked at Adaline but then looked down, “Y-you are a m-mom,” he asked very timidly, refusing to look at anyone else.

Adaline smiled, “I created all the worlds through my writing therefore you are my children. This is the first time I put myself in the story. And because I am not a person in the book,” Adaline held up the little brown book, “I can’t be killed- at least that I know of, no one has tried to.” 

Adaline cleared their throat, “The remaining two members of this group and Arthur and Grace,” they pointed at the two other teens. The girl named Grace gave a small wave while the boy named Arthur looked over Vivienne’s shoulder and peered into the crate of weapons. 

Adaline went to grab another box to hand to Liz when they paused and shook the little box, “Umm, Zach?” 

Zach turned to only get hit in the face by an empty box. The box bounced off his nose as Adaline let out an angry sigh, “You didn’t bring all the Pens, dumbass!” Zach looked offended and pointed back at them, “Now wait a damn minute, Addie! You told me to bring the boxes from your closet here. How the fuck was I surposed know that not all the boxes had a Pen in the damn thing?” Adaline turned to James, “Babe, could you hold down the fort here while I drag Zach to go get the final Pen?” James smiled and turned to the others as Adaline muttered curses about Zach under their breath.

Zach smiled and yelled, “Hell yeah,” as Adaline opened the little brown book and they took off to the next world. After Adaline and Zach went through the book they found themselves in a dark room.

Adaline smiled, “Welcome to my mind of dreams. This is from the horror movies that I have seen. You did watch the movie list I sent you, right?” Zach shook his head, “I haven’t got to that yet,” he said as he tried to step forward. Adaline stopped him, “We are now victims in a dead game, so I wouldn’t make any rushed movements” they said with a smile, “Now, do you want to break your foot or cut it off?” Zach looked from Adaline to the chain on his foot, “I thought we were trying to stop Ethan.”

“We are. We’re just in the wrong dream,” Adaline said as a door appeared in the middle of the dark gray room, “Now, let’s go find what we are looking for.” Adaline walked over to a disgusting stained bathtub that was in the corner and pulled out a pair of keys. Zach gagged as they reached down and unchained themselves then walked over to him. Once unchained, they walked through the door that led to the next dream...